These updates have been provided to us by the DWP
Business Secretary launches working groups to help unleash Britain's growth potential
Press Release: Business Secretary Alok Sharma is creating 5 new business-focused groups to unleash Britain’s growth potential and create jobs, as part of the government’s plans to help the economy bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic.
National Careers Service Virtual Jobs Fair 8 - 12 June
Following the success of its first Virtual Jobs Fair (link is external) in May, with over 1000 job, apprenticeship and volunteering opportunities advertised, the National Careers Service is holding a second fair from Monday 8 to Friday 12 June. The Virtual Jobs Fair will virtually visit nine different regions of England throughout the week and give employers in those regions a chance to advertise current opportunities.
Lords Debates Economic Lessons of Covid-19
The Virtual Proceedings (link is external) considered (1) the economic lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, and (2) the measures necessary to repair the United Kingdom economy.
Coronavirus Guidance for Individuals and Businesses - Scotland
Information is available here on GOV.UK (link is external) to navigate the guidance on the virus for individuals and businesses in Scotland.
Shielding Letters - Wales
Almost 130,000 people will start receiving a letter from the Chief Medical Officer for Wales. They will be asked to continue shielding (link is external) until 16 August, but the letter will also describe how the medical advice has changed to enable them to go outdoors to meet other people for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
Small Business Support - Scotland
The scheme (link is external) has to date helped more than 2,500 businesses and 4,160 self-employed people. Now the support is being expanded so small B&Bs, who were ineligible for other support due to not having a business bank account, will be able to apply.
Impact of COVID-19 on Economy - Scotland
A Monthly Economic Brief (link is external) which provides an update on the latest impacts that COVID-19 is having on Scotland’s economy. Some highlights:
- 19% of businesses temporarily closed
- 36% of businesses had cash reserves to last more than 6 months and 2.9% of businesses had no cash reserves
- unemployment increased to 4.1%
- claimant count increased by 67%
Young Person's Mental Health Toolkit - Wales
The Toolkit (link is external) links young people, aged 11 to 25, to websites, apps, helplines, and more to build resilience and support them through the Coronavirus pandemic and beyond. The simple design enables users to take control of their mental health (link is external) through a medium that suits them, with information, self-help, and advice about how to seek further support embedded throughout.
Coalition of Children's Charities
More than £7 million (link is external) will fund the launch of the See, Hear, Respond service, to provide targeted help to vulnerable children, young people and their families affected by the virus. The coalition, led by Barnardo’s, will work alongside local authorities, schools and colleges, police forces, healthcare professionals and other vital services.
Benefit Cap Statistics
The quarterly statistics (link is external) for the period 15 April 2013 to February 2020 have been released. Some of the highlights:
- 79,000 households had their benefits capped an increase of 1%
- 14,000 households had their benefits capped for the first time in the quarter December 2019 to February 2020
- 7 in 10 households that had their benefits capped were single parent families
LA Welfare Direct Bulletin
The June edition of the LA Welfare Direct Bulletin (link is external) has been published on GOV.UK. It provides information that affects Housing Benefit and other areas of DWP, to local authority staff.
Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) Extended and Next Steps
The government’s SEISS will be extended (link is external) with those eligible able to claim a second and final grant capped at £6,570. Also from 1 July 2020, businesses will be given the flexibility to bring furloughed employees back part time. And from August 2020, the level of government grant provided through the job retention scheme will be slowly tapered
Published on Monday 8th June 2020